How to Grow Cannabis in Triple Digit Heat

How to Grow Cannabis in Triple Digit Heat

When the summer heat spikes into the triple digits, your cannabis plants go into survival mode. Cannabis is a tough weed, but once temperatures climb past 90°F, the plant’s metabolic processes start to stall. Photosynthesis slows way down, and the plant spends most of its energy just trying to stay cool. If you are growing outdoors, you need to step in and help them handle the stress.

In this environment Hydration is key! You give them as much water as they need. I am not one to shade my plants…my take is cannabis loves the sun, and more is always better…..as long as the plant is hydrated. I once did a grow in 5 gal buckets, and we had triple digit heat for over 30 days straight that summer. Here is an image of that grow…

Another lifesaver is heavy mulching. If you leave your soil bare, the sun will bake the top few inches of earth, killing off beneficial microbes and frying your plants’ shallow feeder roots. Lay down a thick, 3-to-4-inch layer of clean straw, wood chips, or dried leaves around the base of your plants. This keeps the root zone cool and locks in moisture so you aren’t running to the hose every couple of hours.

Another way to ‘mulch’ is by using a companion plant like you see here…

I used Crimson Clover as a companion planting…not only does it help keep the soil temperature down, it also adds nitrogen to the soil…for a double wammy!

Lastly, pay attention to when you water. Try not to water your plants in the dead heat of the afternoon, unless that is when you need to water. Stick to early morning deep watering so the plants are fully hydrated before the heat of the day strikes if possible. You can read online how if you wet the leaves in the heat of the day this can shock the plant, and then their is the garbage that the water droplets work like little magnifying glasses and burn your plants…I don’t believe it!

What feels good to you when you are hot on a scorching day….yep, getting wet feels wonderful, and is such a relief! IMO cannabis loves the same thing….right in the middle of a hot sunny day I will wet the foliage…and the plants love it…